Whenever you describe something by comparing it with something else, you are using figurative language. Figurative language or speech requires you to use your imagination to figure out the author's meaning. The author describes something through the use of unusual comparisons, for effect, interest, and to make things clearer. The result of using this technique is the creation of interesting images. For example, if someone tells you that it is raining cats and dogs, you know that there are not actually cats and dogs falling from the sky. You know it really means that it is raining very hard. Common ways authors use figurative language: Imagery Language that appeals to the senses. Descriptions of people or objects stated in terms of our senses. Example: I smell the fresh pine needles as I snowshoe through the chilly woods blanketed in white fluffy snow. Simile A figure of speech which involves a direct comparison between two unlike things, usually with the words like or as. Similes give the reader a new way to see or understand something and can create a strong mental picture. Example: The muscles on my uncle's arms are strong as iron bands. Metaphor A metaphor is a comparison of two different things to show a likeness between them. Metaphors do not use the words like or as when making comparisons, as do similes. Sometimes, they say that one thing is another, such as " her teeth are pearls". Metaphors also suggest a comparison. Example: In the line, "The fog comes in on little cat feet", from "The Fog" by Carl Sandburg, the fog is being described as if it were a cat. Personification Personification is the technique of giving a non-human thing human qualities such as hearing, feeling, talking, or making decisions. Writers use personification to emphasize something or make it stand out. Personification makes the material more interesting and creates a new way to look at every day things. Example: The stars winked at us form the night sky. Alliteration Alliteration is the repetition (repeating) of a consonsant sound at the beginning of two or more words that are next to each other or near each other to create a feeling or mood/ Example: Remember, reading is rewarding and really rad! Hyperbole A hyperbole is an exaggeration of the truth, usually meant to be humorous or funny. Writers an poets use hyperbole to get a point across or to be funny. Example: I can eat a million ice cream cones. Idiom An idiom is a phrase that is made up of words which can't be understood by literal, or ordinary, meaning. For example, the idiom, or expression, "hit the road", has nothing to do with going out your door and smacking your street. It really means "go away". Example: Cross that bridge when you come to it.
Whenever you describe something by comparing it with something else, you are using figurative language. Figurative language or speech requires you to use your imagination to figure out the author's meaning. The author describes something through the use of unusual comparisons, for effect, interest, and to make things clearer. The result of using this technique is the creation of interesting images. For example, if someone tells you that it is raining cats and dogs, you know that there are not actually cats and dogs falling from the sky. You know it really means that it is raining very hard.
Common ways authors use figurative language:
Imagery
Language that appeals to the senses. Descriptions of people or objects stated in terms of our senses.
Example: I smell the fresh pine needles as I snowshoe through the chilly woods blanketed in white fluffy snow.
Simile
A figure of speech which involves a direct comparison between two unlike things, usually with the words like or as. Similes give the reader a new way to see or understand something and can create a strong mental picture.
Example: The muscles on my uncle's arms are strong as iron bands.
Metaphor
A metaphor is a comparison of two different things to show a likeness between them. Metaphors do not use the words like or as when making comparisons, as do similes. Sometimes, they say that one thing is another, such as " her teeth are pearls". Metaphors also suggest a comparison.
Example: In the line, "The fog comes in on little cat feet", from "The Fog" by Carl Sandburg, the fog is being described as if it were a cat.
Personification
Personification is the technique of giving a non-human thing human qualities such as hearing, feeling, talking, or making decisions. Writers use personification to emphasize something or make it stand out. Personification makes the material more interesting and creates a new way to look at every day things.
Example: The stars winked at us form the night sky.
Alliteration
Alliteration is the repetition (repeating) of a consonsant sound at the beginning of two or more words that are next to each other or near each other to create a feeling or mood/
Example: Remember, reading is rewarding and really rad!
Hyperbole
A hyperbole is an exaggeration of the truth, usually meant to be humorous or funny. Writers an poets use hyperbole to get a point across or to be funny.
Example: I can eat a million ice cream cones.
Idiom
An idiom is a phrase that is made up of words which can't be understood by literal, or ordinary, meaning. For example, the idiom, or expression, "hit the road", has nothing to do with going out your door and smacking your street. It really means "go away".
Example: Cross that bridge when you come to it.
Using Mr. Grinch for Figurative Language!